London’s renowned Royal Observatory located at Greenwich is always a fascinating place to visit. This is the official location of the world’s Prime Meridian, the imaginary line from which every location in the world is measured. The Prime Meridian is also considered to divide the world into the western and eastern hemispheres. The location of Greenwich is also the setting for the official Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT which is the point of reference for timekeeping across the globe.
Travellers should make it a point to visit the planetarium which is the only facility of its kind available to the public in London. This world-class planetarium presents enthralling shows which present a splendid introduction to the wonders and mysteries of the heavens. These shows incorporate data provided by sophisticated telescopes and state of the art technology to uncover the mysteries of pulsars, black holes and other aspects of the universe. The shows are anchored by qualified astronomers from the Royal Observatory, who answer queries from members of the audience after the shows.
Another noteworthy attraction at the site is the fascinating museum which is a significant highlight in its own right. Amongst its many captivating exhibits are numerous versions of the elaborate chronometers which were used to calculate longitude accurately while on the high seas. The museum displays the evolution of time measuring instruments, from the early sundials to more sophisticated instruments and finally today’s technological wonders such as atomic clocks.
Interestingly Greenwich was the official residence of the Astronomer Royal, a position that has existed for centuries, as well as his subordinates. The actual Royal Observatory was initially opened to members of the public in the year 1953.
London, as it has for centuries offers many delights for the visitor. From monuments of historical and cultural significance to splendid world-class art galleries and museums, the capital of the United Kingdom remains one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. The city will always captivate the visitor irrespective of age, nationality or preferences.
The selective visitor desiring a luxury boutique hotel London will be pleased by The Halkin London. This fine luxury hotel London offers provides splendid accommodations with courteous hospitality.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
